Better Off Dead...
“Insanity doesn't run in the family, it gallops.”
High school student Lane Meyer sinks into suicidal depression when his girlfriend dumps him for jock Roy Stalin, the high school ski racing champion. Meanwhile, he has to deal with his eccentric family, a tenacious paperboy and an obnoxious neighbor whose mother is hosting a beautiful French exchange student named Monique.
Where to watch Better Off Dead... in United States
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At HomeClick a service to open Better Off Dead... there. Availability last verified on July 11, 2026.
Where is Better Off Dead... streaming around the world?
| Country | Streaming on | Rent / Buy |
|---|---|---|
| United States | — | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies |
| India | — | Amazon Video |
| United Kingdom | — | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies |
| Canada | Super Channel Plus, Super Channel Amazon Channel, fuboTV | Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube |
| Australia | — | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies |
| Germany | Pluto TV | — |
| France | — | Canal VOD |
About Better Off Dead...
Better Off Dead... is a 1985 English-language comedy and romance film directed by Savage Steve Holland. The cast is led by John Cusack, Amanda Wyss, Diane Franklin. It has a runtime of 1h 37m. Viewers rate it 6.6/10 across 600 ratings. In United States, it is available to rent or buy on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
Better Off Dead... was produced by A&M Films and CBS Theatrical Films and made in United States of America. It was released on August 23, 1985, and carries a PG certification. Made on a budget of about $4 million, it went on to gross $10 million worldwide.
- Director
- Savage Steve Holland
- Writers
- Savage Steve Holland
- Release date
- August 23, 1985
- Original language
- English
- Age rating
- PG
- Status
- Released
- Country
- United States of America
- Budget
- $4 million
- Box office
- $10 million
- Production
- A&M Films, CBS Theatrical Films
Better Off Dead... cast & crew
Better Off Dead... was directed by Savage Steve Holland and written by Savage Steve Holland.
The cast features John Cusack as Lane Meyer, Amanda Wyss as Beth Truss, Diane Franklin as Monique Junot, Aaron Dozier as Roy Stalin, Curtis Armstrong as Charles De Mar, and David Ogden Stiers as Al Meyer.
Behind the camera, the score was composed by Rupert Hine, cinematography is by Isidore Mankofsky, and it was produced by Gil Friesen and Michael Jaffe.
Is Better Off Dead... worth watching?
Better Off Dead... holds an audience score of 6.6/10 from 552 ratings, a solidly received comedy films.
At 1h 37m, it's an easy, time-light watch.
If you enjoy comedy and romance, Better Off Dead... is worth a place on your watchlist.
How and where to watch Better Off Dead...
Better Off Dead... isn't on a subscription service in United States right now, but you can rent or buy it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube.
Streaming rights change country by country and month by month, so the options above reflect United States today — switch your country at the top of the where-to-watch section to see availability elsewhere.
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Cast of Better Off Dead...
John Cusack
Lane Meyer
Amanda Wyss
Beth Truss
Diane Franklin
Monique Junot
Aaron Dozier
Roy Stalin
Curtis Armstrong
Charles De Mar
David Ogden Stiers
Al Meyer
Kim Darby
Jenny Meyer
Demian Slade
Johnny Gasparini
Laura Waterbury
Mrs. Smith
Dan Schneider
Ricky Smith
Yuji Okumoto
Yee Sook Ree
Brian Imada
Chen Ree
Better Off Dead... — FAQs
▸Where can I watch Better Off Dead... in United States?
Better Off Dead... is not on subscription streaming in United States right now, but you can rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies.
▸What language is Better Off Dead... in?
Better Off Dead... is originally in English. Subtitle and dub options vary by streaming service.
▸How long is Better Off Dead...?
Better Off Dead... runs 1 hours 37 minutes (97 minutes).
▸What is Better Off Dead... rated?
Better Off Dead... is rated PG. It holds a 6.6/10 audience score from 552 ratings.
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